Description:

Alexander Hamilton
New York, NY, April 3, 1789
The New-York Packet Prints Hamilton's Appeal to Voters, Preparations for Washington's Arrival, and an Advertisement of Slaves for Sale
Newspaper
[ALEXANDER HAMILTON; SLAVERY.] The New-York Packet, April 3, 1789. New York: Samuel Loudon and John Loudon. 4 pp., 12" x 19.5". Disbound; rough edges, not affecting text; light staining; very good.

This issue of The New-York Packet includes the first of Alexander Hamilton's two letters to the voters of the state of New York in support of the candidacy of Federalist Robert Yates against incumbent Governor George Clinton. Hamilton's second letter appeared in the New-York Journal on April 9. At the election, Clinton narrowly won re-election to a fifth consecutive term as Governor of New York with 51.7 percent of the vote to Yates's 48.3 percent, or a margin of just over 400 votes out of more than 12,000 cast.

This issue also includes notices of preparations for the reception of President-elect George Washington, who would soon arrive in the temporary capital. With great fanfare along the way, Washington arrived in New York on April 23. After a week of planning in consultation with Congress, Washington took the oath of office on the balcony of Federal Hall on April 30. He then went inside to give his inaugural address in the Senate chamber.

The newspaper also includes an advertisement for the sale of three slaves, including a skilled sail-maker and an enslaved woman and her son. New York did not pass a law for gradual abolition until 1799. Even that act freed no living slave but manumitted the children of slave mothers when they reached age 28 (men) or 25 (women). The last slaves held in New York were freed in 1827.

Excerpts
Alexander Hamilton "To the Independent and Patriotic Electors of the State of New York"
"In this city, at least, we can confidently affirm, that the great body of the inhabitants of every description are of opinion that a change in the person of the chief magistrate is of great moment to the tranquility and welfare of the state, and that it is expedient and wise to support Judge Yates." (p2/c4)

"As the friends of the governor undoubtedly promise themselves some advantage from misrepresenting the disposition of this city, we have thought it our duty to enter into this explanation; and we doubt not that the detail we have given you will fully satisfy you that there is among the inhabitants of this city and county a degree of unanimity in the opposition to the present governor, of which it is not easy to find an example, and which it is presumable must be founded upon substantial reasons of dissatisfaction." (p3/c1)

"The following is an extract from Brigade Orders, of the 22d. March 1789.
"‘His Excellency GENERAL WASHINGTON, as President of the United States, may be expected in a few weeks, and as it is the duty, so the General is persuaded that it will be the inclination of the Brigade to receive him with every possible demonstration of military respect and honor. The legion and perhaps the whole Brigade will be under arms upon that important occasion, and are to prepare accordingly.'" (p2/c2)

"TO BE SOLD, Entirely for the want of employ, A NEGRO MAN, a sail-maker by trade, and a workman at that business. Also, a Negro Wench, who wishes to exchanger her master, with her male child." (p3/c4)

The New-York Packet (1776-1792) was published weekly in New York City by Samuel Loudon (1727-1813) as The New York Packet, and the American Advertiser, until 1784, when it assumed the shorter name. During the Revolutionary War, Loudon published it from Fishkill, New York, the site of the largest supply depot for the American army, where Loudon also served as postmaster. His newspaper became semi-weekly in 1783, and four years later his son John Loudon (1765-1789) joined his father as a partner. Loudon strongly supported the Patriot cause and printed Alexander Hamilton's Letters from Phocion as well as The Federalist Papers (October 1787-August 1788). John Loudon was killed in October 1789, when a ramrod accidentally discharged during a militia training exercise.

This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses.

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  • Dimensions: 12" x 19.5"
  • Medium: Newspaper

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